Colorectal Cancer Statistics

Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and the third most common cancer in men and in women. For more information, visit Cancer Among Men and Cancer Among Women.

In 2007 (the most recent year numbers are available)—

• 142,672 people in the United States were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, including 72,755 men and 69,917 women.*†
• 53,219 people in the United States died from colorectal cancer, including 27,004 men and 26,215 women.*†

*Incidence counts cover approximately 99% of the U.S. population. Death counts cover 100% of the U.S. population. Use caution in comparing incidence and death counts.

†Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2007 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2010. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs. (full site)